As the function of the microbiota of the mouth becomes more understood, ancient techniques to support oral hygiene are becoming more popular. One practice backed by numerous studies is called tongue scraping (Jihwa Prakshalana).
Tongue scraping is the simple practice of scraping your tongue before brushing your teeth. Studies have shown that this simple technique:
- Reduces undesirable bacteria in the mouth that can compromise gum, teeth and oral health. (1)
- Reduces volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), which are by-products of mouth bacteria linked to bad breath. (2)
- Improves taste sensation and reduces tongue coating. (3)
- Changes the environment of the mouth to reduce putrefaction and decrease bacterial load. (3, 8)
When certain bacteria on the tongue and in the oral cavity break down certain proteins in the mouth, volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are released that result in bad breath. Studies have confirmed the benefits of tongue scraping as an effective way to reduce volatile sulfur compounds. In fact, tongue scraping greatly outperforms tooth brushing to accomplish this. (2)
Why Copper?
While a gold or silver tongue scraper would be amazing, new research on the health benefits of copper make a copper tongue scraper hard to beat. Copper has been used for centuries as a bacteria-resistant metal, and new studies are confirming these ancient practices. (4, 5, 6)
Copper may be the best metal to be used for tongue scraping because the mouth is loaded with both good and not-so-good bacteria. Copper not only seems to be toxic to the bad bacteria, it also provides important enzymes that are needed for the healthy microbes in the mouth to survive. (5)
In one study, the antiseptic benefits of copper were so great that, when copper was put in hospital rooms as furnishings, the bacteria count on all of the surfaces in the rooms was significantly reduced. (7) Some hospitals are now incorporating copper furnishings as part of their anti-bacterial strategies.
>>> Read more on copper in my article, “Copper is Back.”
Oral Hygiene and Beyond!
Beyond the benefits of oral hygiene, tongue scraping, brushing, and flossing the teeth followed by drinking a large glass of water is a strategic way to kick-start the digestive process. By stimulating the taste buds with tongue scraping, not only is the tongue better able to perceive tastes and properly digest foods (3), this taste bud-activation also engages the lower intestines to initiate a complete bowel elimination first thing in the morning.
A copper tongue scraper will not only offer great oral hygiene benefits while scraping the tongue, it will also resist bacterial accumulation while not in use – results that last! Due to its beneficial properties, silver would be the second choice for tongue scraper material, although stainless steel is more than adequate to perform the job.
How to Scrape your Tongue
1. In the morning, right after you wake up, scrape your tongue. Make it the first thing you do. Even if you wake up in the middle of the night, scraping the tongue followed by a glass of water can reduce accumulating digestive ama (toxins).
2. With a relaxed tongue, using your U-shaped tongue scraper, gently reach to the back of the tongue and scrape the tongue from back to front. Repeat this 5-10 times, reaching as far back as comfortable, rinsing the scraper after each pass. A slight gag can help bring up some mucus and ama from the back of the throat.
3. Follow tongue scraping with brushing (with non-fluoride toothpaste), flossing, and a large glass of water.
4. To complete an Ayurvedic oral hygiene routine, this can be followed by oil pulling – of course, this would require another round of tooth brushing.
5. Get into the habit of scraping your tongue prior to each brushing.
It is interesting to hear your comments about the copper tongue scrapper. I have been scraping my tongue for years but generally do this after brushing the teeth. Is it more effective to clean the tongue before brushing the teeth for some reason?
Me too… I wonder why before vs after.
I’m curious about the logistics of oil pulling post brushing scraping etc. I do it as the first thing as it seems to soften the mucous in order to scrape/floss as well as pull up mucous from my throat. What’s the reasoning for afterwards?
Me too… I typically oil pull, brush, and then scrape.
Hi Joe,
Tongue scraping before brushing and oil pulling is recommended because it mechanically removes bacteria that oil pulling or brushing would not be able to remove on their own. Once that is done, then brushing oil pulling and brushing again is ideal. This creates a process where the remnants from the tongue scraping can be removed by the gentler oral health routines, giving the most thorough results.
Be Well.
I had always heard oil pulling should be done on an empty stomach (including water). Can you please explain why you suggest drinking water before oil pulling? Thank you?
I have always done my tongue scraping after teeth brushing, but not anymore! I am switching to your recommended sequence. I have a question about continuing to do oil pulling while doing the no-fat cleanse diet. Is it all right to continue or would the oil pulling absorb too much oil into the body through the mucous membranes?
Just curious, why follow with a non flouride toothpaste as opposed to one with flouride?
Fluoride is a toxic ingredient that our bodies cannot get rid of, and it gets deposited in our brain. High flouride levels have been found in people with Alzheimer’s. 🙁 I’m in the process of switching to flouride-free toothpaste but it’s pricier of course
Tooth Powder Ingredients
The following is a tooth powder from WellnessMama.com. It was a recipe I tailored to my needs (neem is great to add in), my dentist of 35 years said that my teeth have never looked better! It is very cheap to make yourself!
4 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
3 Tablespoons Calcium Powder
1 Tablespoon Baking Soda (optional)
2 Tablespoons Powdered Mint Leaf (optional, or can use essential oil)-
1 tablespoon Cinnamon Powder
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Cloves Powder
Essential oils for taste- completely optional but Peppermint, Spearmint and Cinnamon are good.
I believe fluoride is a toxic ingredient as well! So then, can anyone tell me why town officials are so adamant that it be added to the town water supply? This was about to happen in my town, luckily enough of us signed a petition against it. Flouride is on the sidelines ….for now. But, the town selectmen, and a few of the local dentists are pushing in favor, sending flyers to residents, hoping to persuade the undecided. Why would they do this?
What is the best way to clean tongue scraper? Should the scraper be replaced every so often?
Any observant Jews here? I’m wanting to start becoming more spiritually and physically fit. I want to ad morning prayers. I need a guide. My Rabbi would look at me sidways about tounge scraping and oil pulling. Timing and set up and hand washing and blessings are confusing me.
When I was Frum, my Ayurvedic habits came in-between Yiddishkeit: Wake > Wash Hands (Prayer) > Scrape > Rinse > Pull > Rinse > Drink > Neti (if applicable) > Nasya > Daven > Asana > Meditation (on Hashem) > Breakfast (if applicable).
Basically, sanctify all that G-d has blessed us to benefit from using Ayurveda and Yoga sciences, and integrate as opposed to separate. It is a mitzvah to be clean (saucha).
Shalom,
m
Apologies, but also I must add that this began at 4:30am in order to accommodate the breadth of the sadhana. Also, depending on the season, before breakfasting (if at all) would be Dry Brushing > Abyangha > Shower > Breakfast (with requisite prayer).
Remember, Menschenkeit > Yiddishkeit <3
Shalom,
m
How do I clean a stainless steel tongue scraper (like Dr. Tungs)?
Hi Alex. You can clean your stainless steel tongue scraper with a little water and some baking soda. Be well.
Where can you buy tongue scraper?
Hi Nilda,
We offer both stainless steel and copper tongue scrapers in our store: http://store.lifespa.com/search.asp?keyword=tongue+scraper&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=GO
Be Well.
i must say ayurveda is nice technique